Sessions at Microsoft BUILD 2011 about Windows Runtime on Wednesday 14th September

The Windows Runtime (WinRT) is a key piece of technology used by all Metro style apps in Windows. What actually is the Windows Runtime though? This session explores this key question by digging into the concepts of language projections, the WinRT type system and advanced API patterns included in the Windows Runtime. Learn how Windows uses interface patterns combined with language projection to present modern concepts in a natural and familiar way to each programming language.

Get started writing Metro style apps using your HTML5, JavaScript, and CSS skills today! Come dive into the specifics of this exciting platform and see how you can use your Web skills to build deeply-integrated Windows apps. You’ll discover how this mirrors or differs from traditional Web programming and how to harness the rich capabilities of Windows 8 through JavaScript and the Windows Runtime. You’ll also learn proper navigation techniques, how to manage your app’s state, and how to incorporate the Windows look and feel into your app. This foundational session will arm you with everything you need to know to build Metro style apps with the skills you already have.

C#, Visual Basic and the .NET tools have first-class support for the Windows Runtime. Learn about this integration and how to use C# and Visual Basic to write Metro style apps that call the Windows Runtime and how to build libraries that integrate with your Metro style apps using HTML.

In this talk, Microsoft's C++ architect and chair of the ISO C++ standards committee Herb Sutter will showcase upcoming innovations in Visual C++ that show the Windows Runtime as a core part of native development. Windows 8 comes packed with rich APIs that are all Windows Runtime based, and C++ continues to deliver the tools you need to achieve the power and performance you have come to expect. Join us for a technical session that will serve as an overview of the new C++ programming model for the Windows Runtime and a prerequisite to other C++ sessions.

Metro style apps using JavaScript allow developers to combine the powerful and vibrant Web platform with the rich capabilities of Windows, to build exciting apps for Windows 8. JavaScript developers building Metro style apps have access to not just all of the Web platform, but also hundreds of Windows APIs, as well as opportunities to leverage custom native components. This talk will focus on how JavaScript developers can use the Windows Runtime and consume custom native components from JavaScript. With examples taken from rich Windows 8 capabilities like media, networking, sensors, and file systems, you’ll get an in depth look at how you can leverage the best of Windows in your Metro style apps using JavaScript.

Responsiveness matters. There's almost nothing as frustrating to customers as an app that is lagging or unresponsive. Apps don't have to be this way! Learn how to use the Windows Runtime async tools to create APIs and apps that are easy to build and a pleasure to use.